2017 California Semper Fidelis Award Ceremony

On November 13, 2017, at a Marine Corps Birthday ceremony at the exquisite Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Coast, California. The Marine Corps University Foundation (MCUF) in conjunction with the November 10^th Association presented Semper Fidelis Awards to two outstanding Americans, Mr. Anthony Moiso and Mr. James Irvine Swinden.  Mr. Donald Bren of The Irvine Company hosted the evening and kicked off the presentations with more than 300 attendees.  The honorees were  presented the awards for their dedicated support of the Camp Pendleton Marines and their impressive record of philanthropy to Southern California Communities. It was very fitting on the 75^th anniversary of Camp Pendleton to honor Mr. Swinden and Mr. Moiso, as both men have close family ties to the Irvine family who transferred the land to the Marine Corps where Camp Pendleton sits today.

Anthony Moiso is Chairman and CEO of Rancho Mission Viejo.  He is responsible for the ranching, farming, land planning, development, and financial management of all Rancho Mission Viejo business entities.  He is an Army veteran and a graduate of Stanford University.

James Irvine Swinden is owner of A.R.C. Properties and is active in philanthropic affairs.  He is also President of The Irvine Museum, a public museum dedicated to California Impressionism and Senior Chancellor for the U.C.I. Museum and Institute for California Art. Mr. Swinden earned a Bachelor of Science in economics from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and a Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School.

The prestigious Semper Fidelis Award is presented annually by The Marine Corps University Foundation to noteworthy Americans.

Past recipients include Presidents George H.W. and George W. Bush; Clint Eastwood, George Will, General James Mattis, the Honorable Antonin Scalia and Mr. Ted Williams.

See the list of former Semper Fidelis Award Recipients.

Events like the Semper Fidelis Award Dinner and Black-Tie Gala help support the Professional Military Education of Marines around the world.  You can make a difference in the lives of active duty Marines!

Please contact the Foundation’s Director of Events, Ms. Mattrice Williamson if you wish to attend future events,  She may be reached at (703) 640-6835 or by email.

The Marine Corps University Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on tax deductible gifts, is the only Marine Corps charity solely dedicated to supporting the Professional Military Education (PME) of Officer and Enlisted Marines at the Marine Corps University and throughout the Operating Forces. Special events, such as the Semper Fidelis Award Ceremony and Dinner provide funding that supports Marine Leaders and their Professional Military Education worldwide.  The University leadership’s vision has been twofold – to prepare Marines at all levels to address complex security challenges in a rapidly transforming world through an unparalleled education in security and warfighting studies, and to groom the next generation of decision makers within the Marine Corps, government, and the private sector, equipping them with the critical thinking skills that will enable them to achieve success in any number of career paths. The Foundation relies on tax-exempt contributions from our Semper Fidelis Award Ceremony and Dinner, and those who support Marine Corps causes, including Corporate Members, Marine friends, former Marines helping Marines and donations in memory or in honor of someone special. We are grateful for your tax-deductible donation to support the Professional Military Education of active duty and reserve Marines. Semper Fi!